Effects of nitrogen application frequency via subsurface drip irrigation on corn development and grain yield

ABSTRACT

Subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) has not only potential for water conservation, but also for improving nutrient use efficiency. Two nitrogen (N) application frequencies (every week versus every two weeks, via SDI) were compared in 2012 and 2013 on a Cozad silt loam in North Platte, Nebraska. The weekly treatment was fertigated every week for seven weeks in a row; the bi-weekly treatment was fertigated in weeks 1, 3, 5 and 7. Both treatments received the same total amount of N. There was a positive grain yield response to N application, but no advantage was found to a greater frequency of N application. Corn (Zea mays L.) grain yields and other indicators of corn growth and development (canopy-intercepted light, vegetation indices, indicators of chlorophyll content of corn plant leaves) were not affected by N application frequency.

KEYWORDS:

• Corn
• fertigation
• nitrogen application frequency
• nutrient use efficiency
• subsurface drip irrigation

Acknowledgments

We thank UNL/WCREC Technologists Jennifer Sherman and Rachelle Hanson for their assistance with data collection and analysis.

Funding

Netafim is gratefully acknowledged for its financial assistance.